As the inaugural season of the women’s lacrosse team continues, standout players have started to come forward and be recognized for their talent. One individual who has developed into a very important player for the Spartans is freshman midfielder Morgan Cheripko.
As a freshman, Cheripko came to Tampa with a very strong and successful high school lacrosse background. Cheripko didn’t only play lacrosse in high school either; she has been playing for years, and after deciding to attend the University of Tampa and join the lacrosse team, her talent has been able to grow even more.
“I started playing lacrosse in third grade,” Cheripko said. “I had to lie and say I was twins with my sister because only fourth graders were allowed to play at the time. Later on I played on the varsity squad for four years in high school.”
While in high school, Cheripko received the Jaguar Award, was named MVP for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons, was named the best attack player in 2012 and ended her career with 246 goals, 198 assists, 528 draw controls and an 85 percent shooting percentage. With this talent, choosing to play at Tampa had a lot to do with the school and the opportunities offered here for athletics.
“I decided to play for Tampa when Coach G (Gallagher) contacted me while I was playing for my club team,” Cheripko said. “Once I came for a visit, I fell in love with the school and the athletic facilities. So I knew I wanted to come here to play.”
Another deciding factor for Cheripko was the idea that she was going to be apart of the first women’s lacrosse team here at Tampa.
“I love being a part of the inaugural women’s lacrosse team,” Cheripko said. “It’s very exciting to know we are making history. I think our season is going great. We, so far, have six wins and that’s great for a first year program. We are definitely improving each game.”
Because this is the first season for the Spartans, there is a lot to build on in the upcoming seasons and seasons in the future. But with the path they are currently on, a lot can definitely be accomplished.
“I am looking forward to seeing our team progress into something really great over the next few years,” Cheripko said. “Also something really exciting is we are officially going to be apart of a conference starting next spring.”
One of the main ways the team will really be able to grow and develop in their future seasons is due to the support they get from each other. Just like any sport, teamwork is key to reach and accomplish goals. Teamwork also supplies the backbone for every player to improve and that is one of the reasons why Cheripko enjoys being apart of the Spartan team.
“I would definitely have to say a lot of it (why I love playing at Tampa) has to do with my teammates,” Cheripko said. “They are the ones that motivate me each game and get me pumped, as well as my coaches and athletic trainers. Without them I wouldn’t be the player I am right now.”
With a successful inaugural season, a strong desire to grow as a player and a great support system, Cheripko has had the best backbone to develop into the player she currently is becoming but she really cares a lot about her teammates which shows how close the new team is with each other.
“I would have to say my favorite thing about playing lacrosse is being a part of family that is always there for you,” Cheripko said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to be my teammates.”
Paige Shallcross can be reached at paige.shallcross@spartans.ut.edu.